Bravo! It’s a Vocal White Linea - Aal Izz Well (Now sold and upgraded to the TJet)

bnzjon · 5th August 2009, 19:06

Had a lengthy chat with Mangesh, points discussed are (apart from my personal issues with my Linea).

1. Discontinuation of Vocal white - The subject colour is not as per their international colour palatte. Colours are being standardised across all countries.
2. No new models or variants of Linea will be introduced this year.
3. Bravo and higher capacity versions of Linea and Punto likely to be introduced only mid next year.
4. Linea Sales stabilised at around 1000 units per month.
5. Punto target is 2000 per month. Actual sale is close to the target.
6. Good feedback receiving from customers about service. Don’t want to go wrong this time especially on the service front.
7. Initial niggling issues in Linea and Punto are completed arrested.
8. Expecting sales to pickup in the next 2-3 months as customer feedback is very positive.
9. Regularly reading Team-BHP forums with lot of interest.
10. Spares are freely available as most of the spares are locally manufactured. When highlighted about the delay in spares for my car, he was apologetic and said , it could be a one off case.

Overall, he was feeling very positive about Linea / Punto and was very confident that things are in favour of FIAT this time.

Good luck FIAT !

amit27 · 6th August 2009, 10:18

Well I have said befor and will say it gain even if this upsets Linea owners ! Value addition and cost cuttign are 2 differrent things Logan was all about cost cutting finally there was nothig left in to be sold or people to buy , sadly Linea has also taken this path to an extent . As an underdog you need to better the competition on overall customer experience not just Price . It is precisely because of this Toyota has improved and Honda Civic has dipped while Jetta is a non starter . Well the segmenation is right and wrong both as Linea should have been pitched up against Civic not against City or Verna.

bnzjon · 7th August 2009, 10:21

Folks, do you feel a slight vibration in the accelarator pedal while crossing the speed limit of 80 ? Is this normal or should i report to the service centre ?

Also, i feel the engine noise has increased in the last few days !
I have completed 2800 kms in 2 months time and due for service next week.

Your expert opinions pls.

neotraveller · 7th August 2009, 10:31

I feel little vibrations in accelerator if I floor the accelerator. (vibration starts around 3000rpm)

If I do a gradual press, I don't feel any vibrations.

aks_karthik · 7th August 2009, 11:41

Nope,I haven't felt it before.
Anyhow i'll check in my B'lore trip and let you know.

bnzjon · 8th August 2009, 20:34

Guys, the FIAT manual says " press the clutch while starting your car".
I have never followed that. Checked with the service centre and the answer given to me was that what i follow is correct.

Which one is correct ?

VahanPujari · 8th August 2009, 22:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnzjon

Guys, the FIAT manual says " press the clutch while starting your car".
I have never followed that. Checked with the service centre and the answer given to me was that what i follow is correct.

Which one is correct ?

" press the clutch while starting your car" is always better. I think manual also explains it in detail.

bnzjon · 10th August 2009, 00:24

Hi Guys, just an update....
Had a drive on the ECR till Mahabs and Back (total 125 kms).Could touch 140 max easily.
Family was with me, so dint push hard.

Btw, i got a FE of 15.2....driving was kind of racing.
On way to mahabs, played hide and seek with ANHC, finally emerged the winner ( my wifey was furious, My 4 yr old daughter enjoyed it).

Later we met at the parking lot of Sterling resorts, Mahabs and became instant pals. He was all praise for Linea and his perception of Linea being an underpowered Car vanished into thin air.

End of it, i was litte happy that i could make another ANHC owner feel envy about FIAT Linea! ( the other one being my neighbour, who parks his ANHC next to my beauty)

neotraveller · 10th August 2009, 00:52

jon,

Exact same experience I had with ANHC last week. I was reduced to tailing him at speeds upto 100-110kmph.
But once I saw an empty stretch, 120kmph onwards I just beat him flat out.
IMO, at those speeds the car dynamics are more important than BHP I guess. Linea's build quality & suspension scores heavily over ANHC here.

geeash · 10th August 2009, 08:05

great to hear about the racing..........but with kid in the car , i wouldnt want you to do that.

earlier on my trip to yercaud i had happened to relegate most of the cars to dust. but guess who gave me a run for the money?? a swift diesel.......

but still i managed to outlast him. those who say the car is underpowered should come for a ride with us

nicesachin · 10th August 2009, 08:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnzjon

Had a lengthy chat with Mangesh, points discussed are (apart from my personal issues with my Linea).

1. Discontinuation of Vocal white - The subject colour is not as per their international colour palatte. Colours are being standardised across all countries.
2. No new models or variants of Linea will be introduced this year.
3. Bravo and higher capacity versions of Linea and Punto likely to be introduced only mid next year.
4. Linea Sales stabilised at around 1000 units per month.
5. Punto target is 2000 per month. Actual sale is close to the target.
6. Good feedback receiving from customers about service. Don’t want to go wrong this time especially on the service front.
7. Initial niggling issues in Linea and Punto are completed arrested.
8. Expecting sales to pickup in the next 2-3 months as customer feedback is very positive.
9. Regularly reading Team-BHP forums with lot of interest.
10. Spares are freely available as most of the spares are locally manufactured. When highlighted about the delay in spares for my car, he was apologetic and said , it could be a one off case.

Overall, he was feeling very positive about Linea / Punto and was very confident that things are in favour of FIAT this time.

Good luck FIAT !

Hey Benzon

I think you took complete 30 mins interview of Mangesh

. I agree that Sales will now pickup, as we now see more and more Linea's and Puntos on the road and All I hear is a good feedback about the car.

I had a slight hitch about 3 months back on Buying a Linea and If someone ask me now, Its totally gone (though I have already purchased it). One of my cousin changed his decision from Linea to AHNC in March just because he didnt see much Linea's on the road and He didnt even get an feedback of the car.

bnzjon · 10th August 2009, 09:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by geeash

great to hear about the racing..........but with kid in the car , i wouldnt want you to do that.

earlier on my trip to yercaud i had happened to relegate most of the cars to dust. but guess who gave me a run for the money?? a swift diesel.......

but still i managed to outlast him. those who say the car is underpowered should come for a ride with us

Ashwin, i know its stupid of me to have raced the car with my kid on board

but couldnt resist myself when the ANHC overtook me and gave me a sharp cut. He was infact inviting me for the race. No excuses, my mistake to have done that.

I too noticed that Swift is too good on the highways (& city driving too). I too faced the same situation on the Chennai-Bangalore highway. I struggled to catch up with the Swift on my last journey in that strech

achinthg · 10th August 2009, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnzjon

7. Initial niggling issues in Linea and Punto are completed arrested.

Hope new cars have all issues mentioned in the forum fixed. I take delivery next week (fingers crossed) !!!

Great post @bnzjon !!!

bnzjon · 11th August 2009, 09:22

The spares i had ordered on 25/July are yet to be received ( Wash wiper fluid tank, Rear seat Belt casing). The LINEA EMOTION logo was ordered on the 11/July !

Its almost 3 weeks now. The delay is despite Mangesh personally assuring me that spares are readily available and 'rare' spare parts will be arranged in a weeks time.

Is this the situation in your respective TASS as well or the scarcity is only at Concorde Chennai ?

I am getting little worried now as a common item like the logo etc should be readily available and should not take a months time.

Sunilrj · 11th August 2009, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by bnzjon

The spares i had ordered on 25/July are yet to be received ( Wash wiper fluid tank, Rear seat Belt casing). The LINEA EMOTION logo was ordered on the 11/July !

Its almost 3 weeks now. The delay is despite Mangesh personally assuring me that spares are readily available and 'rare' spare parts will be arranged in a weeks time.

Is this the situation in your respective TASS as well or the scarcity is only at Concorde Chennai ?

I am getting little worried now as a common item like the logo etc should be readily available and should not take a months time.

three reasons for this Bnzjon!
1. some shifting of parts warehouse is in progress
2. rare parts are hardly stocked by any dealer - now seat belt assembly, wiper washer tank, fiat emblems - no one buys them on a regular basis. why dont you check out with other dealers in your area
3. one Major reason why dealers dont stock all parts is because unlike other vehicle manufacturers, i am told Parts from Fiat have to be purchased on cash basis and no credit is allowed. hence dealers stock only the replacement parts that are sure to sell - e.g filters, shock absorbers, windshield glasses, door mirrors etc

5th August 2009, 19:06	#61
bnzjon BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dubai Posts: 836 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	Had a lengthy chat with Mangesh, points discussed are (apart from my personal issues with my Linea). 1. Discontinuation of Vocal white - The subject colour is not as per their international colour palatte. Colours are being standardised across all countries. 2. No new models or variants of Linea will be introduced this year. 3. Bravo and higher capacity versions of Linea and Punto likely to be introduced only mid next year. 4. Linea Sales stabilised at around 1000 units per month. 5. Punto target is 2000 per month. Actual sale is close to the target. 6. Good feedback receiving from customers about service. Don’t want to go wrong this time especially on the service front. 7. Initial niggling issues in Linea and Punto are completed arrested. 8. Expecting sales to pickup in the next 2-3 months as customer feedback is very positive. 9. Regularly reading Team-BHP forums with lot of interest. 10. Spares are freely available as most of the spares are locally manufactured. When highlighted about the delay in spares for my car, he was apologetic and said , it could be a one off case. Overall, he was feeling very positive about Linea / Punto and was very confident that things are in favour of FIAT this time. Good luck FIAT !
	() Thanks

6th August 2009, 10:18	#62
amit27 BHPian Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Guragaon Posts: 173 Thanked: 0 Times	Well I have said befor and will say it gain even if this upsets Linea owners ! Value addition and cost cuttign are 2 differrent things Logan was all about cost cutting finally there was nothig left in to be sold or people to buy , sadly Linea has also taken this path to an extent . As an underdog you need to better the competition on overall customer experience not just Price . It is precisely because of this Toyota has improved and Honda Civic has dipped while Jetta is a non starter . Well the segmenation is right and wrong both as Linea should have been pitched up against Civic not against City or Verna.
	() Thanks

7th August 2009, 10:21	#63
bnzjon BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dubai Posts: 836 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	Folks, do you feel a slight vibration in the accelarator pedal while crossing the speed limit of 80 ? Is this normal or should i report to the service centre ? Also, i feel the engine noise has increased in the last few days ! I have completed 2800 kms in 2 months time and due for service next week. Your expert opinions pls.
	() Thanks

7th August 2009, 10:31	#64
neotraveller BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 739 Thanked: 0 Times	I feel little vibrations in accelerator if I floor the accelerator. (vibration starts around 3000rpm) If I do a gradual press, I don't feel any vibrations.
	() Thanks

7th August 2009, 11:41	#65
aks_karthik Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,949 Thanked: 342 Times View My Garage	Nope,I haven't felt it before. Anyhow i'll check in my B'lore trip and let you know.
	() Thanks

8th August 2009, 20:34	#66
bnzjon BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dubai Posts: 836 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	Guys, the FIAT manual says " press the clutch while starting your car". I have never followed that. Checked with the service centre and the answer given to me was that what i follow is correct. Which one is correct ?
	() Thanks

10th August 2009, 00:24	#68
bnzjon BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dubai Posts: 836 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	Hi Guys, just an update.... Had a drive on the ECR till Mahabs and Back (total 125 kms).Could touch 140 max easily. Family was with me, so dint push hard. Btw, i got a FE of 15.2....driving was kind of racing. On way to mahabs, played hide and seek with ANHC, finally emerged the winner ( my wifey was furious, My 4 yr old daughter enjoyed it). Later we met at the parking lot of Sterling resorts, Mahabs and became instant pals. He was all praise for Linea and his perception of Linea being an underpowered Car vanished into thin air. End of it, i was litte happy that i could make another ANHC owner feel envy about FIAT Linea! ( the other one being my neighbour, who parks his ANHC next to my beauty) Last edited by bnzjon : 10th August 2009 at 00:25.
	() Thanks

10th August 2009, 00:52	#69
neotraveller BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 739 Thanked: 0 Times	jon, Exact same experience I had with ANHC last week. I was reduced to tailing him at speeds upto 100-110kmph. But once I saw an empty stretch, 120kmph onwards I just beat him flat out. IMO, at those speeds the car dynamics are more important than BHP I guess. Linea's build quality & suspension scores heavily over ANHC here.
	() Thanks

10th August 2009, 08:05	#70
geeash Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,513 Thanked: 146 Times	great to hear about the racing..........but with kid in the car , i wouldnt want you to do that. earlier on my trip to yercaud i had happened to relegate most of the cars to dust. but guess who gave me a run for the money?? a swift diesel....... but still i managed to outlast him. those who say the car is underpowered should come for a ride with us
	() Thanks

11th August 2009, 09:22	#74
bnzjon BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dubai Posts: 836 Thanked: 127 Times View My Garage	The spares i had ordered on 25/July are yet to be received ( Wash wiper fluid tank, Rear seat Belt casing). The LINEA EMOTION logo was ordered on the 11/July ! Its almost 3 weeks now. The delay is despite Mangesh personally assuring me that spares are readily available and 'rare' spare parts will be arranged in a weeks time. Is this the situation in your respective TASS as well or the scarcity is only at Concorde Chennai ? I am getting little worried now as a common item like the logo etc should be readily available and should not take a months time.
	() Thanks